Atascadero Historical Society wants to show off some of the Colony’s original old homes. Close to 300 homes built during the period from 1915 to 1924, known as the Colony Period in Atascadero, are still standing, with many of them in excellent condition.

The Atascadero Historical Society sponsors a Colony Home Tour every spring where owners of restored Colony Homes open their homes to the public for a ticketed tour.

“We’re so appreciative that people are beginning to preserve these beautiful old homes that were built in such a variety of styles,” Sally Tippman, chairwoman of the Society’s 2006 Home Tour said. Tippman herself lives in a Colony home that was on tour six years ago.

Tippman said the Historical Society has the official real estate photo cards for about one-third of the Colony Houses. She said people who are restoring those homes often seek pictures and information from the Society’s vast files to help them in their restoration efforts. Approximately 60 of the Colony houses have been torn down or otherwise destroyed for one reason or another. The very first house in Atascadero is now buried beneath the freeway, Tippman said.

The first home built under the “Colony Plan” still stands on Santa Ynez Avenue, just north of San Andres Avenue. Historical Society member Lydia Schweich began the first concerted effort to locate many of the houses and compile what is probably the most complete record of them in 1994. Since her death others in the Society, including Tippman, have been working to keep the files up to date on the status of those vintage old homes.

“ More and more people are finding renewed value in owning a vintage Colony Home,” Tippman added. “They bring a comfort to a family and a sense of pride that you don’t always get in a modern plaster, aluminum, vinyl and concrete home. The homes range from modest Craftsman-style bungalows to large, multi-storied Victorians, Tippman said. There are even some Sears and Roebuck “kit” houses in the community, and others that were tilt-up concrete construction.

For additional information about the Colony Home Tour, you may call (805) 466-6278. You may also call the Historical Society and leave a message at (805) 466-8341.